Resilient Infrastructure: Resilient World

At COP30 in Brazil (2025), CDRI positioned resilient infrastructure as central to climate action and sustainable development. Infrastructure accounts for most emissions, adaptation costs, and SDG targets, making resilience a strategic investment. CDRI emphasized the “resilience dividend,” where every dollar invested yields $7–12 in avoided losses and co-benefits.

Achievements included 38 pavilion sessions, 72 global interventions, and launches such as the Global Infrastructure Resilience 2025 Report, data and technology strategies, and guidance on extreme heat and urban water resilience. Strategic priorities focused on reframing resilience as a smart investment, embedding it in National Adaptation Plans, and tailoring solutions for cities, mountains, and Africa.

Recommendations stressed risk-informed planning, innovative financing, equity, and governance reforms to ensure infrastructure can absorb, respond, and recover from intensifying climate risks.

Key points

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Aishwarya Pillai

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Agathe Nougaret –